Albania boasts miles of Adriatic and Ionian Sea coastline, as well as spectacular Roman ruins. Land-locked Kosovo has a reputation for fine skiing and mountaineering, sophisticated cafés and shops, and a forward-looking young population. And Macedonia is a compact jewel of a country, blue with lakes and green with forested mountains. Visit all three, from the mountains to the sea, on this 10-day jaunt across the little-traveled, yet fascinating lower Balkan Peninsula. Read More

This remarkable rail journey by private train follows the trail of countless caravan merchants and explorers through Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, as well as dazzling Iran. Admire the breathtaking Uzbek oases of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, and visit Turkmenistan's burning Darvaza Gas Crater, called locally the “Door to Hell.” Enter Iran and discover the luxuriant gardens of Shiraz, the gracious Islamic architecture of Isfahan, and one of the most important sites of the ancient world, Persepolis. Experience nine different UNESCO sites before the journey ends in Iran's exciting capital, Tehran. Read More

The fascinating countries of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan encompass some of the most spectacular
and absorbing hidden corners of Central Asia. Dive deep into the distinct cultural identities and multi-layered history of these extraordinary lands, discovering ancient desert citadels, dramatic Silk Road fortresses, and surprising Soviet-era remnants, and connect with artists, experts, and tribal villagers who still cling to traditional ways of life. Read More

Join a fascinating and adventurous journey through two of the most remote and rarely explored countries in Central Asia – Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Experience the proud traditions and hospitality of Kyrgyz nomads in the highlands, enjoy visits with local Tajiks in their timeless mountain villages, and take in majestic and hauntingly beautiful landscapes along one of the world’s most scenic drives, the Pamir Highway. Read More

Traverse four of the five ‘Stans of Central Asia on this private rail journey along the Silk Road. Begin in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city. Continue into Kyrgyzstan to inspect the capital, Bishkek, and take a boat ride on the country’s most beautiful lake, Issyk-Kul. Dip into Khujand in Tajikistan to meet with a local family and hear about their daily lives. Stop in Tamerlane’s UNESCO-listed hometown, Shahrisabz, before visiting three famed Uzbek Silk Road oases – Samarkand, Khiva, and Bukhara – all of them UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Experience four UNESCO sites in 16 days, with seven hotel nights and eight nights onboard the comfortable Orient Silk Road Express private train. Read More

Retrace the path of ancient traders and adventurers on this comprehensive overland journey across Western China. Experience the legendary Kashgar Sunday Animal Market, where merchants sell everything from ducks to sheep. Make your way east to visit Turpan’s lush Grape Valley, watered by a 2,000-year-old irrigation system, and Dunhuang’s UNESCO-listed Mogao Caves, frescoed and carved with a thousand images of the Buddha. Ride the high-altitude train from Xining to Tibet, and explore the Tibetan Plateau on a splendid route that embraces the sacred cities of Gyantse and Shigatse, as well as Lhasa, “City of the Sun.”Read More

Silk, spices, tea, precious metals and jewels, carefully lashed to pack camels, made their way from one world to another along the old Silk Road. Follow in the footsteps of early explorers who plied these trade routes connecting East with West.Begin this six-country adventure in Almaty, Kazakhstan and from there fly to the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region of China to visit one of the most exotic cities in the world, Kashgar. Skirt the infamous Taklamakan Desert on camelback, and admire the breathtaking views across the 12,000-foot Torugart Pass, following the Silk Road through Kyrgyzstan to Lake Issyk-Kul and Bishkek. Visit Tashkent, the Fergana Valley and the UNESCO-listed Silk Road oases of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva in Uzbekistan, and continue overland into Turkmenistan to discover its 2,500-year history.Trip currently not available. Call for more information.Read More

Roll across Western China to discover the teeming Sunday Market in exotic Kashgar, where Marco Polo may have shopped; the ancient karez underground irrigation system in Turpan that caused the desert to bloom; and the Mogao Caves at Dunhuang, where generations of pilgrims carved and painted images of the Buddha. Then hop the special high-altitude train, ascending from the Tibetan Plateau to Lhasa at 12,000 feet, passing the world’s highest railroad station along the way. Explore the “City of the Sun,” with its massive UNESCO-listed Potala Palace, sacred Jokhang Temple, and the lively Barkhor Market. Read More

Taste your way through Uzbekistan, the vibrant heart of the Silk Road, during the height of the Uzbek New Year, Navruz. Explore the exciting culinary tastes and ancient architecture of three of the most celebrated Silk Road oases – Bukhara, Khiva and Samarkand – along with the modern capital of Tashkent. Celebrate Navruz with the locals as they welcome you into their homes, and discover the enduring traditions and abundant hospitality essential to everyday Uzbek culture. Read More

Enjoy the pleasures of luxurious Old World rail travel, gliding in style from the edges of the old Ottoman Empire in Budapest all the way to its heart, Istanbul, where Europe and Asia intertwine. Begin in Hungary and continue through the modern Balkan countries of Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Greece before exploring Turkey’s Gallipoli Peninsula and ending in Istanbul. Encounter four UNESCO World Heritage Sites along the rails as you roll from one fascinating city to the next.
There is also a Northbound Istanbul to Budapest rail journey by private train departure with a route in the opposite direction. Read More

Traveler Reviews

“We don’t know where to start – a perfect itinerary which satisfied all of our needs, excellent accommodations superbly located, flawless execution of all aspects including visas, vouchers, theatre tickets, etc., and last but certainly not least, truly outstanding and professional guides and drivers. We only wish that MIR provided tours everywhere, in which case we would never use another tour company again. MIR Office in Seattle was outstanding. We have already told several friends about MIR and how wonderful they are! You all put together a trip for us that was perfect for our budget, time frame and interests. Russia is a fabulous destination – wonderful history, magnificent sites. We can’t say enough about MIR and Russia.”- The Repkos - Princeton, NJ